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Ojibwe Giizhig Anung Masinaaigan - Ojibwe Sky Star Map  

Figure - Ojibwe Giizhig Anung Masinaaigan, Created by A. Lee, W. Wilson, C. Gawboy, 2012

“Ojibwe Giizhig Anung Masinaaigan - Ojibwe Sky Star Map”, was created by A. Lee, W. Wilson, C. Gawboy, ©2012. The map was designed so that the Giwedin’anung, North Star, Polaris, is at the center of the map. This reflects the motion in the night sky – the North Star-Polaris appears to be a ‘motionless point’ about which all other stars in the sky appear to rotate around counter-clockwise (CCW) as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. Moving outwards from center, Ojibwe constellations of each of the four seasons are painted in woodlands x-ray style by W. Wilson. Brighter Greek constellations are shown in whispers of light yellow. Dimmer Greek constellations are visible in pen or simply pencil. Seasonal medicinal plants are displayed on the border in a floral Ojibwe style beadwork pattern.

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Lesson One – Which Way is North? Part 1. - Introductory Discussion. Ask the group “Which way is North?” have students/participants point to the direction in the room that is north.

Ø   Which way is North?

Ø   How do you know? Ø   Why is it important? Ø   How do we say ‘North’ in Ojibwe?

Ø   What are the Ojibwe constellations in the Northern night sky?

On Earth: Place a large letter ‘N’ in this direction and/or the Ojibwe word ‘Giiwedin/ Giiwedinang/ Giiwedinong’. => Internet Connection: http://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/main-entry/giiwedin-ni Using place specific landmarks, like the Mississippi River flows north to south or the direction of sunset/sunrise east-west or using a smart phone compass app are some of the ways of knowing north… Note: Often people will point in many different directions. In the Sky: In the Northern sky is where we find the North Star, Polaris. This star is special because it is directly above the Earth’s North Pole. As the Earth rotates each day on its axis, the North Star – Polaris appears motionless1. The exact point above the Earth’s North Pole is called the “North Celestial Pole (NCP). Imagine you are the Earth. As you rotate around your (vertical) rotation axis, there is a point on the ceiling directly above your head that appears not to move! The North Star – Giiwedin’anung is also special because it reflects (like a mirror) our position on Earth. (up-down, or equivalently north-south from the equator of Earth) For example, at latitude +45°, the North Star-Polaris is 45° above the horizon. If we travel further north and look at the stars, then the North Star will be seen higher in the north sky! If we travel further south, towards the equator, then the North Star-Polaris will be seen closer to the horizon (or 0°). The North Star is a compass in the sky! It has been used for thousands of years for navigation, this is called “celestial navigation”. Summary Points:

Ø   The North Star, Polaris is found in the north direction2. It is a compass. Ø   The height of the North Star, Polaris above the horizon is the same as how far you are above the Equator.

It is a reflection of where you are. Ø   The North Star is located directly above the Earth ‘s rotation axis and so appears motionless. Ø   All other stars in the night sky appear to move in a counter-clockwise (CCW) direction around the North

Star. In some cultures, the North Star is considered a ‘leader’ because literally all other visible stars in the night sky will appear to circle around it.

Ø   Giiwedin/ Giiwedinang/ Giiwedinong is North in Ojibwe. Ø   Giiwedin’anung is the “The North Star”, Polaris, in Ojibwe. Ø   The orientation of the Big Dipper with respect to the North Star as viewed a few hours after sunset can be

used like a calendar because it changes with the season. o   Winter – vertically upside down to the right of the North Star – like an icicle o   Spring – horizontally upside down, above the North Star – like a bucket pouring water ‘Spring

showers’ o   Summer – vertically right side up, to the left of the North Star – like a blade of grass or shovel o   Fall – low on the horizon – like a basket, ‘we fill our baskets’ in the fall.

                                                                                                               1 There is a very small wobble of 0.75° about the North Celestial Pole (NCP). 2 For approximately 1000 years Polaris will be the North Star. The minimum angular separation will occur ~2100 AD.  

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 Figure 1 - Big Dipper as a seasonal calendar, as viewed a few hours after sunset

 Figure 2 – Long exposure photo centered on the North Star, Polaris shows the circumpolar motion, Photo by I. Bernick 2014

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OJIBWE CONSTELLATIONS found in the NORTHERN NIGHT SKY: Ojiig – Fisher (corresponds with the Big Dipper/Plough and Ursa Major)

This constellation relates to the story of when the birds and Spring were held prisoner by the ogres. Of all the animals it was only Ojiig - Fisher that was able to trick the ogres and free the birds. He saved everyone with his courage and wit. The fisher is the only animal that can kill and eat porcupines. Also it is not diurnal or nocturnal, but prefers to always be on the move, sleeping and eating night and day. It does not build a home in one place and return as most animals do, but rather makes its home in different places. The fisher is constantly on the move.

o   Find Ojiig-Fisher in tonight’s sky. o   Earth-Sky Connection - Notice how Ojiig’s behavior on Earth is a perfect mirroring of the

Ojiig-Fisher constellation in the night sky. The animal fisher is constantly on the move. The constellation Ojiig-Fisher is constantly moving around the North Celestial Pole (NCP). The motion of the physical animal matches the motion of the constellation in the night sky. This framework of a reflection of the relationship between earth and sky is repeated throughout the Ojibwe star knowledge.

 Figure 3 - Photo by http://www.ForestWander.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 us, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21460755

 Figure 4 - Ojiig, by W. Wilson 2012

⇒   Video Connection - Listen to the Story of Ojiig Rescuing the Birds by Carl Gawboy. ⇒   Art Connection - paintings: Ojiig, by W. Wilson 2012

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•   Maang – Loon (corresponds with the Little Dipper and Ursa Minor)

The North Star and other stars in the Little Dipper/Ursa Minor make up the Ojibwe loon constellation. The loon is one of the Ojibwe clans and is seen as a very important messenger. Loon and crane are both leaders in the clan system, they work together. The loon stands at the doorway between the water and the land or the material and the spirit world. The loon avoids leaving the water, it must have water to land and take off. Only to make a nest to lay eggs it goes on land. They prefer larger lakes. The loons' legs and feet are positioned way back and they can't walk well on land

•   Giwedin'anung - (corresponds with the North Star/Polaris)

The night sky appears to rotate around this star in a counter-clockwise motion. This star is at the 'center' of all stars as seen from the northern hemisphere and because of this it is considered to be very important.

o   Find Maang-Loon and Giwedin'anung -in tonight’s sky. o   Earth-Sky Connection - The place of the Maang-Loon as Ojibwe Clan Leader mirrors the

place of Polaris-the North Star (which is where the Maang-Loon constellation is found) in the night sky. They are both leaders. Everyone circles around them.

 Figure  5 Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17426  

 

Figure 6- By Tim Bowman, USFWSOriginally uploaded by User Kingturtle on en.wikipedia - http://images.fws.gov/default.cfm?fuseaction=records.display&CFID=6222375&CFTOKEN=73796833&id=50DAF646%2D65BF%2D03E7%2D272C2187431A5121, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1175750

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 Figure  7  

 Figure  8

⇒   Literature Connection - Read the story about Maang, Loon in Carl Gawboy’s book “Talking Sky”, pg.76

⇒   Literature Connection - Read more about Ojibwe clans in E. Benton’s book “The Mishomis Book”, pg.

⇒   Art Connection - painting of Doorkeeper of the North (Maang), A. Lee and painting “Ishpiming in the Sky”, W. Wilson, 2012

 Figure 9- Screen shot from Ojibwe skyculture on Stellarium

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Notes:

•   Protocol. This material is rooted in Ojibwe culture. All efforts should be made to present the

material with the cultural authenticity. The ideal way to accomplish this is to have a native person (Ojibwe) to present in collaboration. Seek out those elders or cultural teachers in your area. These teachings come from a different system of knowing and there is always some risk when non-native persons attempt to deliver it. For example, there are some star stories that are only told when ‘there is snow on the ground’. Be respectful and careful.

MN K-12 Science Standards: ✓ 3.1.3.2.1 Understand that everybody can use evidence to learn about the natural world, identify patterns in nature, and

develop tools. For example: Ojibwe and Dakota knowledge and use of patterns in the stars to predict and plan. ✓ 3.1.3.2.2 Recognize that the practice of science and/or engineering involves many different kinds of work and engages

men and women of all ages and backgrounds. ✓ 0.1.1.2.1 Use observations to develop an accurate description of a natural phenomenon and compare one’s observations

and descriptions with those of others. ✓ 0.4.1.1.1 Understand that living things are diverse with many different observable characteristics…. Observe and

compare plants and animals. ✓ 1.1.1.1.1 Understand that scientists work as individuals and in groups to investigate the natural world, emphasizing

evidence and communicating with others. …When asked "How do you know?,” students support their answer with observations.

✓ 1.1.1.1.2 Recognize that describing things as accurately as possible is important in science because it enables people to compare their observations with those of others.

✓ 5.1.1.1.4 Understand that different models can be used to represent natural phenomena and these models have limitations about what they can explain. For example: Different kinds of maps of a region provide different information about the land surface.

✓ 5.1.3.2.1 Describe how science and engineering influence and are influenced by local traditions and beliefs. For example: Sustainable agriculture practices used by many cultures.

✓ 5.1.3.4.2 Create and analyze different kinds of maps of the student's community and of Minnesota. For example: Weather maps, city maps, aerial photos, regional maps, or online map resources.

Additional Resources and Suggestions

Ø   Read the Ojibwe Constellation Guidebook that accompanies this map. Ø   Go outside and find the constellation in the night sky. Ø   Tell a friend about one of the constellations you learned. Ø   Invite an Ojibwe elder/language expert into the classroom. Ø   Attend a Planetarium show. Ø   Read Carl Gawboy’s book on Ojibwe Star Knowledge, Talking Sky. Ø   Visit recommended websites:

o   http://web.stcloudstate.edu/aslee/OJIBWEMAP/home.html o   http://web.stcloudstate.edu/planetarium/native_skywatchers.html o   http://web.stcloudstate.edu/aslee/ o   http://www.nativeskywatchers.com/ o   http://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/main-entry/giiwedin-ni

Ø   Video Connection -à “Star Trail Time Lapse”, 1:25,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V3rmDG5J8A